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Political Geography. AP Human Geography. What is political geography?. The study of how people have organized the Earth’s land surface into countries. Key Questions What are the reasons for the arrangement/ organization of different countries?
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Political Geography AP Human Geography
What is political geography? • The study of how people have organized the Earth’s land surface into countries. • Key Questions • What are the reasons for the arrangement/ organization of different countries? • Why do conflicts arise from arrangements/ organization of different countries?
State vs. Nation vs. Country • These three terms can mean the same things…or not.
State/ Country • An area organized into a political unit • Ruled by an established government • Has control over its internal and foreign affairs. • Has a defined territory • Has sovereignty= independence from others • Formal/ uniform region • Examples: Mexico, China, U.S.A., but not Texas, Illinois, Florida, etc.
Nation • Nation can be another way of saying state • “What nation are you from?” • “I am from South Korea.” • However, nation can also refer to a tightly-knit group of people which share a common culture, but do not necessarily occupy an area of land • Examples: Palestinian people, Nation of Islam, Cherokee Nation
Nation-State • A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular ethnic group. • Iraq is not a nation state, but could be if divided into 3. • Examples: Armenia, Egypt, Hungary, Japan, Israel
The United Kingdom • As a whole, the UK is viewed as a multi-national state. • However, it is made up of 4 nation-states.
State Sizes Big States Micro States • Russia • Canada • U.S. • China • Brazil • Australia • Monaco • Vatican City • Andorra • Bahrain • Lichtenstein • Most are small islands in the Caribbean, Pacific, and off the coast of larger countries.
State Shapes- Elongated • Long and thin in shape • May cause transportation issues • People at one end are distant from people at the other end (centrifugal?) • Ex. Chile, Vietnam, Malawi
State Shapes- Compact • Ideal, square or circular in shape • No one feels too far from the center, transportation is easy • Ex. Poland, Switzerland, Cambodia
State Shapes- Fragmented • State is broken into several pieces. • May be difficult to maintain unity/ communication • Ex. Island nations such as Indonesia, Philippines, also Russia, U.S., Tanzania
State Shapes- Prorupted • A piece of land extends from the main country. • If man made, proruption may lead to water/ railroad, etc. • Proruption may also lead to feeling of seperation. • Ex. Namibia, Thailand, DR of Congo
State Shapes- Perforated • Fairly rare, when a country completely surrounds another country. • Surrounded country is completely dependent on surrounding country. • Ex. SOUTH AFRICA!!! (Lesotho perforates SA)
Landlocked States • No access to water. • Negative impact on trade, must rely on another country to transport goods. • Usually poor • Ex. Niger, Afghanistan, Bolivia (48 total)
Ancient City States • Today, city-states are not widespread, although the Vatican is an example. • Historically, city-states included a city and it’s surrounding countryside. • Each city is sovereign/ no unity. • Example: Ancient Mesopotamia (Ur) or Medieval Italy
Colonies • Territory legally tied to a sovereign state and is not completely independent. • e.g. 13 American colonies under the British • Motives include God (spread Christianity), Gold ($$$), and Glory (power/ prestige) • The British had colonies world wide, including India, Australia, much of Africa, Eastern N.A., Middle East • Most gained independence after-WWII. • Puerto Rico is still a colony of the U.S.